The case against an anti-war activist, Ms Mary Kelly, for the alleged criminal damage of a US Navy aircraft at Shannon Airport is to be heard before a jury in the Circuit Court.
Yesterday Judge Joseph Mangan declined jurisdiction in the case at Ennis District Court, after being told that the damage caused to the aircraft was in excess of €100,000.
Ms Kelly (50), formerly of the Peace Camp in Shannon, is charged with the criminal damage of the US Navy 737 aircraft at Shannon Airport on January 29th last.
Yesterday a fresh charge of trespassing on the airfield on the same date, contrary to the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1997, was brought against Ms Kelly.
Insp Tom Kennedy told the court yesterday that the DPP had directed that the cases be dealt with on a summary basis in the District Court.
However, Ms Kelly's solicitor, Mr Eamon Carroll, rejected this.
At an earlier hearing, Insp Kennedy had told the court that the cost of the damage caused to the aircraft was in excess of €500,000.
However, when asked yesterday by Judge Mangan, he replied that the damage caused was "in excess of €100,000".
On hearing the cost of the damage, Judge Mangan said he was declining jurisdiction.
The judge remanded Ms Kelly to reappear before Ennis District Court on May 2nd.
As part of her bail conditions, Ms Kelly is required to stay out of Co Clare and to sign on three times a week at Skibbereen Garda station.
The five members of the Catholic Worker movement, also charged with the criminal damage of the same aircraft on February 4th, are also remanded to reappear before Ennis District Court on the same date.
Judge Mangan also refused jurisdiction in that case after hearing last month that the alleged damage caused to the aircraft could be in the region of €500,000.